Samuel Pace

Los Angeles, California

United States

Born to a mother and father from the Deep South, who followed the Great Black Migration west seeking better opportunities, Sam’s talents were given the chance to flourish. Encouraged by his parents to express his creative abilities, he continued developing his skills throughout high school where he earned a Fine Arts scholarship.

During high school and college, Sam expanded his energies to mastering the martial arts. He became a world ranked tournament champion who continues to share his talent through his leadership in the Black Karate Federation.

In 1989 Sam moved to Europe where he began developing his current style, using Jazz and Blues as the subject matter. His unique interpretation co-mingles the moods and sounds of contemporary and 1920’s Black Renaissance Jazz and Blues artists into a visual narrative. His works vary in several different mediums from acrylic on canvas, wood, and collage, to discarded recyclable objects.

Among his credits, Sam has produced works for such notables and organizations as the president of an investment company, vice president of Blue Note Records, Los Angeles Urban League, and entertainers Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, Cassandra Wilson, and Eddie Palmarie.

Commissioned works include famed drummer Elvin Jones for the Playboy Jazz Festival, Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, and Watts Towers Jazz Festival.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Creative House Studio / April 2018
“Seeing Jazz” solo exhibition

Art Basel Miami / December 2017
More than 250 galleries from around the globe presented works from the masters and emerging artists.

Vancouver Jazz Festival / 2001-2017
Featured artist. Designed cover artwork for jazz festival

Gallery 38 / November 2016
Gallery 38’s write-up.

Metro Arts / 2016
“Through the Eyes of Artists” series of artist talks

Group Shows

El Tranquilo Gallery / 2016

Horton Gallery / 2013

William Grant Stills / 2011, 2012, 2013, 2013

Watts Towers Gallery / 2013

5 Claude Lane Gallery / 2011

LA Metro – Leimert Park / 2004

Press

Hipster Sanctuary / August 2018

The Jazz Cat Brunch (KCRW 89.9FM) / August 2017

The Art Dialogues / January 2017

The Jazz Cat (KCRW 89.9FM) / December 2016

Leimert Park Beat / June 2014

Events

L.A. County Museum of Contemporary Art / 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Designed jazz series t-shirts

Artworks

African-American History Inspired Art

From the blues and jazz roots to modern rock, Pace’s artwork spans decades of musical history

Artist Statement

It was in the late 1980s, while living in Europe, when I began creating artworks using Jazz and Blues music as the subject matter.

My artworks, which are principally paintings, reflect the moods and sounds of the music that I hear. They are my way of blending jazz and blues music into my interpretation of a visual narrative.

I work in several mediums ranging from acrylic on canvas, to collage, wood and discarded recyclable objects.